No matter how you phrase it, telling Fort McMurray evacuees they’ re going to be away from their homes for a long time is tough.
No matter how you phrase it, telling Fort McMurray evacuees they’ re going to be away from their homes for a long time is tough.
Mayor Omer Moghrabi does try to deliver the message gently-but he also stresses the importance of thinking about next steps.
“This is not short-term,” he said. “They have to start thinking about resettling.”
Thousands of evacuees displaced by a massive wildfire have registered at Lac La Biche’ s Bold Center. Hundreds are spending nights at the multiplex, where three meals are served each day and heaps of donated clothing and other items are available for evacuees to choose from.
The POST asked how long Lac La Biche County can keep the evacuation centre running. The mayor answered simply, “As long as it takes. We won’ t back down.”
Even so, people need to understand that the situation in Fort McMurray will not be resolved quickly, he said. Even when the massive wildfire-which has been unofficially dubbed “The Beast” because of its size and intensity-is no longer a threat, it won’ t be safe to return to the city right away, Moghrabi said.
“It’ s going to be long-term. Let’ s be realistic,” he said. “You can rebuild, but it takes time to rebuild.”
While the county isn’ t looking at its pocketbook when it offers a safe refuge, the mayor said support from the provincial and federal governments will be needed in the days ahead.
Wildrose Party leader and Fort McMurray MLA Brian Jean has visited the local evacuation centre several times, along with Fort McMurray-Cold Lake MP David Yurdiga. In one interview with the POST, a visibly tired Jean said Ottawa and Edmonton will have to work with Lac La Biche County to make sure people are looked after in the long term.
“I think the most important thing we can see right now is cooperation between all levels of government,” he said, adding that both the federal Public Safety Minister and Premier Rachel Notley have pledged support. “I expect them to keep that promise and I believe they will.”
The provincial government has already promised emergency financial assistance to Fort McMurray evacuees. More details on how funds will be disbursed are expected later this week.
Jean said he’ s extremely impressed with how generous and accommodating the Lac La Biche community has been. Moghrabi contacted him soon after it became clear Fort McMurray would have to be evacuated.
“I think the words were, ‘No cost whatsoever. We will open our houses to you. We will provide your people with whatever they need,’ ” Jean said.
The first wave of evacuees arrived at the Bold Center that night. Wave after wave of volunteers and donations followed them. The community’ s show of support has been tremendous, Moghrabi said, but not all offers of help can be accepted.
“A lot of the stuff we’ re getting now, we don’ t need-but because it’ s going to be such a drawn-out situation, other centres may require them,” he said.
He said he has contacted mayors, reeves and other leaders in the Lakeland region to inquire about housing options and other ways to help evacuees relocate to more long-term accommodations.
